Britain starts world’s largest blood test trial to identify 50 kinds of cancer

MORE than 140,000 people will take part in the world’s largest trial of a blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer, as part of an NHS drive.

In just one year since the NHS-Galleri trial began, volunteers from across the country have taken up the invitation to have a blood test at mobile clinics in 150 locations, including supermarket and leisure centre car parks and places of worship.

The participants will now be invited to attend two further appointments, spaced roughly 12 months apart.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard made the announcement last Saturday (16) about the blood test that can potentially offer earlier detection of hard to spot cancers, before their symptoms appear.

This trial is part of NHS action to tackle cancer that also includes high street pharmacies spotting signs of cancer and sending people for checks, drones delivering chemotherapy, and roaming lung- and liver-scanning trucks going into communities.

Initial research has shown the blood test could help to detect cancers that are typically difficult to identify early – such as those affecting head and neck, bowel, lung and pancreas.

“The NHS will not stand still in our efforts to catch cancer earlier and save more lives, rolling out new and innovative ways to detect cancers sooner; from roaming liver trucks, to genetic testing and high street checks, we want to make it as easy as possible for those most at risk to get vital, lifesaving tests,” Pritchard said.

“Today marks an important milestone in our long-term efforts to catch and treat cancer earlier – we know that certain cancers are harder to detect and a late diagnosis can be devastating for patients and their families, and this trial means thousands could benefit from a diagnosis even before symptoms appear,” she added.

Those joining the trial were aged of 50 to 77 years old and did not have signs of cancer at the time of enrolment.

Mobile clinics will return to towns and cities from September this year and will follow up with volunteers approximately one year after their initial appointment. The test works by finding chemical changes in fragments of DNA that shed from tumours into the bloodstream.

Co-chief investigator for the NHS-Galleri trial, professor Charles Swanton, said, “While the first year of the trial may pick up cancers that have existed for some time, the second and third years provide the best opportunity to explore the expected benefits of picking up new cancers at an early stage when treatment is generally more successful.”